3 Tips for Locating Unseen Mold

3/23/2020 (Permalink)

A musty smell could be the cause of mold growth

3 Tips for Locating Unseen Mold

When you have a mold smell in your St Clair County home or business there may be a problem. Unfortunately, odor alone is not always enough to locate the problem. If you haven’t found the source of the smell, here are a few things you may want to consider.

1. Look for Water Problems

In many cases, a persisting fungus smell can also indicate a moisture problem. This is because most mold growth occurs around areas of water damage. If you have a location in your company property that has sustained water damage this should be the first place you look for possible mold. Consider leaky appliances or bathroom areas, but also check around the foundation or areas of damage in the roof.

2. Call a Professional

It’s also highly recommended to contact a remediation service whenever you notice a mold smell. These professionals will have a good idea of where the source of the odor may be. In the event that mold spores are not visually identifiable, they should still be able to perform several tests in order to determine if mold is present on the company property.

3. Have a Test Done

If you can’t see the source of the mildew smell, the restoration professional can complete a series of tests to determine if and where mold may be. They may conduct an air test, take a residue sample, or even take a sample of material that mold may be growing on. Once the results have been determined the remediation service can let you know what the best course of action will be.
Locating a mold smell at your place of business can take a little time. Consider areas where water damage or other moisture problems have occurred around the business property. If the source of the odor remains unfound the professional remediation service can have some tests done to determine the location and mold type of anything located on the company property

St Clair County Homes Benefit from Rapid Mold Remediation Done By SERVPRO

3/4/2020 (Permalink)

Moldy Walls in Your Bathroom? Fast--Call SERVPRO for Cleanup and Remediation

How Mold Can Form in Your St Clair County Master Bathroom

When St Clair homeowners think of mold growing in their homes or their property, they visualize areas like their crawlspace or some similar dark and damp area. While these areas can become prone to this damage, they are not the only areas of your home that remain at risk for this debilitating growth. Bathrooms are often some of the locations where mold and mildew can commonly get discovered, and this can be from numerous sources.

While you might not think of mold damage as a reason to call out professionals to your St Clair County home, this organism can cause both structural concerns as well as prolonged health effects without the right intervention. Your master bathroom can have many sources of moisture damage from undried overflows from the bathtub, leaking connections for the sink or toilet, or even just poor ventilation that does not allow steam to leave the room as efficiently as it should.

Our SERVPRO professionals can inspect this area of your property upon arrival to determine where the moisture is most prevalent, and work to determine its root cause as we set up containment strategies to prevent the spread of the mold damage to other areas of your home. Our technicians have mositure detection equipment and thermal imagery cameras to help determine the precise locations of moisture pockets so that drying efforts can be as efficient as possible.

We can work to remove the mold that has affected organic materials throughout the bathroom area such as the vanity, cabinets, and fabrics. In some situations, drying and sanding materials can effectively remove newly forming mold growth, but in other situations, these cabinets and affected materials must get removed entirely to prevent the continued spread of this health-hazardous growth. We also treat the exposed wall cavities with an antimicrobial product to help limit future mold growth.

No matter what must occur to remediate and restore your master bathroom following mold growth, our SERVPRO of St Clair County remediation technicians can see it through every step. Let us remove the mold and restore the damage it has caused in your home by calling (205)-525-0332

3 Things You Should Know About Mold Growth in Kitchens

2/5/2020 (Permalink)

Mold can grow anywhere

Whether you notice mold in your fridge or bread mold, the presence of mold in your kitchen in St Clair County can be frustrating. However, knowing more about why mold so often grows in kitchens can help you prevent mold in your own kitchen.

1. Mold Thrives in Humid Environments

Kitchens are often the perfect environment for mold growth due to frequent high levels of humidity. Many appliances in the kitchen use water, which can also increase the chance that mold will grow. Though it isn’t always possible to keep humidity low while cooking, using fans or opening windows to improve the airflow in the kitchen can help to lessen the likelihood that mold will grow.

2. Mold on Certain Foods Is Common

Seeing bread mold is not uncommon, though many people are unsure why mold grows on bread so often. In addition to needing water, mold also needs organic material to grow. Fungus growth can appear on a variety of foods, but mold on bread is particularly common because bread is often stored in warm environments, such as in breadboxes, and bread is a good source of food for mold.

3. Mold Can Grow in Cooler Environments

Though some people may believe they don’t have to worry about mold growing in cooler areas in their kitchen, mold can in fact grow in a wide variety of temperatures and environments. Fridge mold is one of the most common types of mold growth in kitchens. Though keeping your kitchen at a cooler temperature can help prevent mold in some instances, it’s also helpful to keep all surfaces, including inside the refrigerator, clean in order to prevent mold growth.

In combination with an understanding of where mold tends to grow and why, steps such as keeping your kitchen cool and dry, store food appropriately and keeping your kitchen clean can make it easier to prevent bread mold and other types of mold growth in your kitchen. However, if you need assistance with mold removal, it can help to contact mold specialists.

We know your insurance coverage for mold!

7/21/2019 (Permalink)

From the insurance perspective, damage from mold, like rust, rot and mildew is excluded from the typical homeowner’s policy.

The Insurance Information Institute says mold is covered under the homeowner’s policy, only if it is the result of a covered danger. For example, the costs of cleaning up mold caused by water from a burst pipe are covered. But mold that develops from, say, humidity or flooding is a maintenance issue that the property owner is responsible for.

The insurance industry argues that in order to keep homeowners insurance affordable and available to the masses this coverage wound up being excluded. If the policyholder does want mold coverage there is going to be an additional premium for it.

One thing to keep in mind is that there have been fewer claims recently. But critics say that is simply because insurers no longer cover the damage, so if it's not covered people do not put in claims.

SERVPRO of St Clair County can mitigate and remediate the original damage, providing you with peace of mind while helping make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at205-525-0332.

Managing Mold

6/26/2018 (Permalink)

When there's a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, SERVPRO of St Clair Co Franchise Professionals have the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a "typical" mold removal process. 

Call the Team in Green

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call us SERVPRO of St Clair Co Franchise Professionals. A representative will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed. 

Mold Management

6/26/2018 (Permalink)

Inspection and Damage Assessment

Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view. 

Mold Containment 

Various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.

Air Filtration

Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. SERVPRO technicians utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress. 

Cleaning Contents and Belongings

SERVPRO of St Clair Co Franchise Professionals clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. They are also trained to remove odors and deodorize using fogging equipment.

Black Mold!

5/14/2018 (Permalink)

You may have seen sensational news reports that warn about the dangers of “black mold” or “toxic mold”. These reports can be alarming and confusing so it’s beneficial to get the facts to better understand mold.

Stachybotrys chartarum is the type of mold often called black mold, and it does produce allergens and irritants. However, many types of mold can produce allergens and irritants. Treat any mold with caution – stay out of affected areas and don’t touch or disturb the mold.

How Do I Tell If It’s Black Mold?

Since many types of mold can cause reactions, you should contact us regardless of the color or type of mold. In many instances, multiple types of mold may exist in the same house or structure. If you suspect you have a mold problem, contact SERVPRO of St Clair County immediately. 

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (256) 378-1319!

Understanding Mold

When water intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic, float along in the air, and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor, and that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of St Clair County is locally owned and operated—so we live and work here too and are proud to be part of this community. We are also part of a national network of over 1,600 Franchises with special Disaster Recovery Teams placed strategically throughout the country to respond to large scale disasters.

Mold Remediation

5/14/2018 (Permalink)

Besides causing a major business interruption, a mold problem can present a serious health risk for people exposed at your commercial property. Mold infestations can be caused by minor water intrusions, like a slow roof leak or loose plumbing fitting. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. If you suspect your property has a mold problem, call SERVPRO of St Clair County, who will respond quickly and work fast to manage the situation.

• 24 Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• A Trusted Leader in the Mold and Water Restoration Industry with over 1,700 Franchises
• Highly Trained Mold and Water Damage Restoration Specialists

Have a Mold Problem? Call Us Today – (256) 378-1319!

Commercial Mold Remediation Presents Unique Challenges

Mold can spread quickly through a property if left untreated. SERVPRO of St Clair County can respond quickly, working to first contain the infestation to help prevent its spread to other parts of the building. Next, we will begin the remediation process, working safely and effectively to manage the situation. We have the training, experience, and equipment to contain the mold infestation and remediate it to preloss condition.

• Applied Microbial Remediation Specialist
• Water Damage Restoration Technician
• Applied Structural Drying Technician
• Odor Control Technician
• Upholstery and Fabric Cleaning Technician

Mold Removal Vs. Mold Remediation

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Removal vs. Mold Remediation

What’s the Difference?

Since microscopic mold spores exist naturally almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors, removing all mold from a home or business is impossible. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold. This is a fallacy.

A qualified restoration company understands the science behind mold and mold growth. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have the training and expertise to remediate the mold in your home or business. Mold remediation focuses on getting mold levels back to normal, natural levels.

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. To learn more about our mold remediation process.

• Step 1: Emergency Contact 256-378-1319
• Step 2: Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
• Step 3: Mold Containment
• Step 4: Air Filtration
• Step 5: Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
• Step 6: Cleaning Contents and Belongings
• Step 7: Restoration

Signs of Mold? Call Today 256-378-1319!

Understanding Mold

When water intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic, float along in the air, and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants and have the potential to cause other health effects. 
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor, and that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

Mold

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

In as little as 48 hours, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business when there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. SERVPRO of St Clair Co Franchise Professionals have the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem.

Have a Mold Problem? Call Today 256-378-1319!

Problem in your home or business, your primary focus should be safety:

• Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours.
• Mold may present a greater risk to children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory problems.
• A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold behind drywall or under carpeting.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact a SERVPRO Franchise Professional for mold remediation services.

What NOT to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

Mold You Must Be Informed

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

One of our favorite ways to connect with our clients is to host CE classes. It gives us a chance to educate our customers on topics important to them and it allows our clients to complete required CE credits for their businesses. Throughout the year we hold various CE classes on the following topics: Fire, Water, Mold, and Ethics. We at SERVPRO have been approved by the insurance industry to host these classes for agents and adjusters. We follow strict guidelines on course content, course facilitators, and attendee certification procedures in order to meet all the requirements to host these classes for our clients.

Mold is a hot topic in our area because the weather conditions in Alabama are ideal for mold growth. It is something home and business owners are calling us about frequently. And certainly something that our agents and adjusters have to field questions about often.  The class objectives are:

- Understand the evolution of mold awareness

- Acknowledge mold as part of our environment

- Understand the basics of mold remediation

- Understand the effect of mold on buildings

- Recognize how mold is affecting Insurance Professionals and the Insurance Industry

Mold is a reality in our area and being informed on how to handle it is the first line of defense! "Find and remove the source" is an important tip that was repeatedly emphasized in the class.

How To Try To Understand Mold

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

Microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, outdoors and indoors, making it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air, and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or on a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. 
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return. 
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

Mold Remediation

5/11/2017 (Permalink)

Mold begins as an airborne spore mass. Mold is microscopic with many smaller spores, so when something causes these spores to stir up, these thousands of smaller spores are set free. The spores will remain airborne until they settle onto a surface. These spores need an organic material, or food source, water, as little as two days time, and temperatures between 32 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit to grow.

Organic matter can be, paint, paper, insulation, natural fibers, plants, potting soil, caulk and many more items. Controlling the humidity in your home, will help with mold growth prevention. This is why SERVPRO of St Clair County sends its employee's to WRT training for water damage restoration. The SERVPRO crew team will make sure the conditions in your home are correct to dry out the area after the damage and prevent mold from the beginning.

For all your Mold Remediation needs call us at 256-378-1319

Do's & Don'ts Of Mold

5/11/2017 (Permalink)

What you can do until help arrives:

In as little as 48 hours, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business when there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem.

Have a Mold Problem? Call Today 256-378-1319

If you have a mold problem in your home or business, your primary focus should be safety:

• Significant mold growth can occur in 48-72 hours.
• Mold may present a greater risk to children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory problems.
• A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold behind drywall or under carpeting.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact a SERVPRO Franchise Professional for mold remediation services.

What NOT to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

Mold Growth

5/11/2017 (Permalink)

Once you become aware that mold is growing in your St Clair County home, removing the microbial growth should be your biggest priority. Extensive mold removal is not a DIY project. Rule of thumb is if there is about 10 square feet or more of mold growth, don't attempt mold remediation on your own. Play it safe and hire a professional mold remediation company like SERVPRO of St Clair County.

Mold is a fast growing fungi that feeds off moisture and in the humid south, it can spread rapidly. In the event of an appliance flood or mass amounts of moisture in your home, the proper mitigation of that excessive moisture is necessary or conditions will be in place for microbial creation. The airborne spores can develop into strings of colonies that bloom into large areas of mold patches. Mold can show up in the form of black spots, blue, green, white or even red staining on porous surfaces. Discoloration on your walls and ceilings will also present other problems.

Mold can leave an unpleasant odor as it permeates through walls, flooring and HVAC ductwork throughout your home. This musty odor may start out very faint and can become more apparent as the growth intensifies. Attempting to mask the odor does not solve the underlying problem. 

The Importance of Hiring a Professional like SERVPRO

Sometimes as homeowners, we are inclined to attempt the mold removal process ourselves, this strategy is not always advisable. SERVPRO's cleaning crew goes through an extensive amount of training and professional licensing to learn how to properly clean, remove, and if possible restore your home. Once you go beyond fungi on the bathroom tiles or a small patch under the kitchen sink, it is time to consider seriously professional assistance. SERVPRO mold remediation experts will use specialized equipment that demands expert handling for mold containment, air filtration, and cleaning. They will also identify and eliminate most present mold to ensure that your home is restored to its original condition. 

Keep Mold Out!

5/5/2017 (Permalink)

1. Identify any problem areas in your home or business and correct them. Preventing any mold from growing and spreading might be as simple as ripping up any carpet that is in any damp basement, installing a mold-resistant product, or even repairing any damaged gutters.
2. Dry any wet areas immediately. Mold cannot grow without some form of moisture, so tackle any wet areas right way.
3. Prevent any moisture with proper ventilation. Make sure an activity as simple as cooking dinner or even taking a shower or doing laundry does not invite mold by providing proper ventilation in your bathrooms, your kitchen, laundry room and any other rooms with high-moisture.
4. Equip your home with any mold-resistant products. Building a new home or business or even renovating an old one? Well make sure to use mold-resistant products like mold-resistant drywall or even mold-resistant Sheetrock, and mold inhibitors for paints.
5. Monitor any humidity indoors. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 60 percent. You can measure any humidity with a moisture meter that you can purchase at your local hardware store.
6. Direct any water away from your home or business. If the ground that surrounds your home or business isn't sufficiently sloped down away from the foundation, water can collect there and seep into your crawlspace or basement.
7. Clean and repair your roof gutters if needed. Have your roof gutters cleaned on a regular basis and have them inspected for damage. Repair them if necessary, and keep an eye out for water stains after any storms that may indicate a leak.
8. Improve air flow in your home or business. Without good air flow in your home or business, the excess moisture may appear on your walls, and open doors to closets that could be colder than in the rooms they are in. Let fresh air in to reduce moisture and keep mold away.
9. Keep mold off of houseplants. They are beautiful and help keep your indoor air clean -- and mold absolutely loves them. The moist soil in indoor plants is a perfect breeding ground for mold, which may then spread to other areas of your home or business.